Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Tahj Brooks

Wednesday, October 29, 11:11 AM

Cleveland Browns beat writer Brad Stainbrook speculates that veteran running back Jerome Ford should be one of the players that Cleveland explores moving at the upcoming trade deadline. The 2-6 Browns appear to be in sell mode as they hit their Week 9 bye. Ford is in the final year of his rookie contract with the team and has recorded 149 scrimmage yards on 42 total touches across eight games this season. Furthermore, Cleveland has a pair of exciting rookie running backs in Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) and Dylan Sampson, so Ford is unlikely to factor in the organization's long-term plans. If Ford is traded on or before the November 4 trade deadline, Sampson would likely become the full-time passing-downs back in Cleveland. If the shoulder injury that Judkins suffered in Week 8 causes him to miss time, Sampson could be the Browns' RB1 in Week 10 against the New York Jets.

Saturday, September 13, 3:20 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks didn't log an offensive snap in the Week 1 win over the Browns. Most assumed the rookie would have at least a small role in the offense. However, that didn't happen in the AFC North clash with Cleveland, with Samaje Perine getting 13 snaps and Chase Brown leading the way with 39. Without question, Brown was expected to get most of the work out of the backfield for the Bengals this season. That likely won't change unless he goes down with an injury. Brooks should get some snaps moving forward, but he has a long way to go before earning a spot in redraft lineups, including for the Week 2 meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the other hand, he's at least worth stashing on dynasty rosters.